According to illegal Bayrak television (09.01.19,
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=cavusoglu-says-new-cyprus-talks-unlikely),
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that a new negotiations
process in Cyprus did not seem possible due to the upcoming European
Parliament elections.

Speaking during a briefing to the Turkish Grand National Assembly's
Foreign Affairs Committee, the Turkish Foreign Minister expressed the
view that a new process in Cyprus aimed at solving the Cyprus Problem
seemed unlikely taking into account the fact that EU parliament elections
were coming up.

Also touching upon the issue of hydrocarbons, Cavusoglu said that
Turkey was not against drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean
and added: "We too are starting drilling off the coast of Cyprus. The
stability of the region is important for us. We are following developments
closely but the rights of the TRNC must be guaranteed and protected".

Speaking on Turkey's EU membership process, the Turkish Foreign Minister
said that both sides were working on the matter. "There is an effort by
both sides. We are taking steps to strengthen relations" he added.

According to illegal Bayrak television (09.01.19,
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=fm-ozersay-resumes-ny-contacts),
Kudret Ozersay, self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister,
has said that the "TRNC" was opposed to the idea that the United Nations
Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus continues to operate the way it currently
does. "In other words we are opposed to the continuation of the status
quo", Ozersay added.

Speaking to the "BRT" in New York, Ozersay claimed that the Greek Cypriot
side perceived any changes to be made to UNFICYP's mandate as change of
the status quo. "This is why they oppose any changes. Our struggle is
in that direction" he said.

Stating that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to associate the UN
Peacekeeping Force with the Turkish Armed Forces on the island, Ozersay
reminded that UNFICYP had been sent to Cyprus in 1964 for a different
purpose.

"The conditions have since changed" he argued, adding that the Greek
Cypriots were trying to prevent any changes to be made to UNFICYP's
mandate under the pretext that the UN's presence was necessary to
facilitate talks between the two sides.

"Obviously there have been no negotiations in Cyprus following the
collapse of the negotiations in Crans Montana in 2017. The Greek Cypriots
are trying to prevent any changes to be made to UNFICYP's mandate with
the excuse that the UN is needed to facilitate negotiations. This is an
inconsistent approach. We are against this understanding that UNFICYP
should continue its operations as it currently does. In other words
we are against the continuation of the status quo and are undertaking
diplomatic initiatives in that direction" he added.

Meanwhile, Ozersay met with the Special Envoy of the Dominican Republic
to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the
month of January Jose Singer.

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen(09.01.19)reports that while the
European Parliament (EP) elections are approaching, the names of Turkish
Cypriot candidates are coming onto the agenda. Journalist Sener Levent
and university professor Niyazi Kizilyurek are two names who will become
candidates for the elections, notes the paper.

Levent has reportedly stated that he would participate in the EP
elections with the Jasmine Movement and that Maronites and Armenians
would also run for the elections with the same Movement. He argued that
the EU's relations with the Turkish Cypriot community were not at the
desired level and that in case a Turkish Cypriot was elected in the EP,
these relations would be strengthened. He also said that the persons
who represented the Turkish Cypriots every year at the EP as observers
expressed Turkey's official views and that all these should be corrected.

On his part, Kizilyurek told the paper that he might issue a statement
on the matter within the forthcoming days and that "serious proposals"
had been made to him "from both sides of the island". He said that the
EP elections were very important in the current conditions of Cyprus
and the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, the general secretaries of the four political parties which
participate in the "government" of the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus replied to Yeni Duzen's questions on
the issue.

Erdogan Sorakin, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP),
said that they had no intention of participating in the EP elections and
did not think that it was right to do so under the current conditions
of the division and the non-solution on the island, in spite of the
fact that they attached importance to the representation of the Turkish
Cypriots in the EP and to this representation being on the basis of
political equality. He noted that the final decision would be taken by
the CTP's organs and that the basic target was a future based on an
acceptable federal solution and political equality, adding that only
in such circumstances would the result of these elections be fairer for
the Turkish Cypriots. According to Sorakin, the decision as to whether
the Turkish Cypriots, who are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, would
exercise their right to vote or to become candidates for these elections,
depended on the Turkish Cypriots thems elves.

Yenal Senin, general secretary of the People's Party (HP), recalled that
the HP's chairman Kudret Ozersay was currently in New York and added
that the party's local congresses would be held in the end of January
and the issue would be discussed then and in February.

Afet Ozcafer, general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), said that
her party had not expressed any view on the EP elections until now and
that they would discuss the issue in a meeting to be held within the
forthcoming days. She argued that uncertainty existed and that all parties
should act in a spirit of unity, adding that they would hold discussions
with other parties on this issue. She also said that within the framework
of human rights, the Turkish Cypriot citizens of the Republic of Cyprus
would be able to individually exercise their right to vote.

Halil Hizal, general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP),
claimed that there was no environment for the Turkish Cypriots to
participate in the elections to be held in "south Cyprus", as he described
the government-controlled area of the island, and that separate elections,
under EU's supervision, should be held in the occupied area of Cyprus
for the election of two Turkish Cypriot representatives in the EP. He
said that it was important for the Turkish Cypriots to determine the
names who would represent them in the EP and that the TDP had submitted
to the EU Office its views on the issue in 2014 and 2016. He argued that
the EU should help the Turkish Cypriots in exercising this right.

Finally, the paper reports that according to Vaggelis Vasiliou,
Public Relations Officer of EP Liaison Office in Cyprus, until now
77 thousand Turkish Cypriots were eligible to vote without having to
apply for registration in the election lists. He said that 100 thousand
Turkish Cypriots possessed identity card of the Republic of Cyprus, but
23 thousands stated that their address was in the government-controlled
area of the island and therefore they needed to apply for being registered
in the lists. The deadline for applying is 2 April, he noted.

According to the paper, Erdogan reacted strongly over the fact that the
Mayor of CHP in Edirne, Recep Gurkan, hanged a banner on the occasion
of the New Year, writing the name of the city in Greek (Adrianoupoli)
and not in Turkish [Edirne]. Claiming that "the banner prepared with the
name of the city during the Byzantine period is nothing else but a new
appearing of the mentality of the CHP, Erdogan alleged the following:
"And the fact that the face of the statue of the representative of
the Turks in Cyprus was blasted is also a different example of the
strangeness. Also, the fact that a statue of the leader of the Greek
Cypriots who supported the massacre of all Turks living in the island
was prepared and laid by the mayoral candidate of CHP in Istanbul is
another product of the same sickly mentality. If you ask them, they
would try to explain what they have done so far, using the rhetoric of
the late Mustafa Kemal Ataturk 'Peace in the Country, Peace in the world
'. However, the war veteran did not say bring peace in the country by
sublimating the enemies of the country [?]".

Erhurman stated that the issue was included in the "government program"
of the four parties consisting the so-called government and was presented
in the "assembly" in the framework of the human rights. He also said
that this is not a "law" from which everybody will benefit.

He further said that they took the opinion of the "attorney general"
and the "security forces" (the occupation army) on the issue and added
that the "draft law" will be also examined by the "committee of legal
issues" of the "assembly". In case the "draft law" passes from the
"assembly" then a "conscientious objection independent committee" will
be established, he added.

He also said that they take the issue very seriously, adding that it
has been brought in the "assembly" by the "council of ministers and the
ministry of interior", without aiming to overcome other issues that are
currently on the agenda.

Revival Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arikli, accused the "government" of
bringing into the agenda the "conscientious objection issue", driving
the attention of the public from other, more important issues. He also
claimed that while the Greek Cypriots spend millions of euro every
year and the Archbishop states that their aim is Keryneia and to walk
in Famagusta, the "government" is taking this step. He also asked if
they took the opinion of the "security forces" and claimed that the
"attorney general" expressed a negative opinion about the "draft law"
but nevertheless this was presented in the "assembly".

In addition, the paper further reports that the "Cyprus conscientious
objection initiative" expressed its satisfaction that the "draft law"
was presented in the 'assembly".

(CS)

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.01.19,
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkeys-erdogan-turns-down-meeting-with-us-bolton/1359250),
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that if the
visiting U.S. national security aide wants to speak to a Turkish official,
he should talk with the presidential spokesman.

Erdogan turning down a meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser John
Bolton followed Bolton's claim that Turkey "targets Kurds" in Syria,
claims that were firmly rejected by Ankara.

If meeting with Bolton were "necessary," then "we could have said yes,"
Erdogan told reporters in the capital Ankara, citing his "heavy schedule"
in turning down the meeting. Bolton should instead meet with presidential
spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, said Erdogan. Erdogan added that he can talk
to U.S. President Donald Trump at any moment.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.01.19,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-ready-for-new-military-incursion-into-syria-turkish-president-140356)
reports that Erdogan rebuked Washington's national security adviser
on Jan. 8 for demanding that Turkey does not harm Kurdish militants in
Syria, accusing him of complicating U.S. President Donald Trump's plan
to withdraw U.S. troops.

He said Bolton had "made a serious mistake" in setting conditions for
Turkey's military role after the U.S. pull-out. "Bolton has made a serious
mistake and whoever thinks like this has also made a mistake. It is not
possible for us to make compromises on this point. Claims that Turkey
targets Kurds in Syria are dishonourable, ugly, vulgar and defamatory,"
Erdogan added.

Erdogan suggested that officials within the U.S. administration may be
trying to obstruct a "clear agreement" that he and Trump reached during
a Dec. 14 telephone conversation. "Despite the fact that we reached a
clear agreement with Mr. Trump, different voices have been raised from
different echelons of the U.S. administration," Erdogan added.

According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.01.19,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-ready-for-new-military-incursion-into-syria-turkish-president-140356),
Turkey is determined to eliminate the "terror corridor" in northern
Syria and "makes no distinction between terrorist groups," President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Jan. 8, adding that Turkey's preparations
to eradicate ISIL in Syria's north "together with other terrorist
organizations" are underway.

"Very soon, we will act on neutralizing terrorist groups in Syria, and
we will take out other terror groups that might try to prevent us from
doing this," Erdogan said, addressing his ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP) lawmakers in Parliament.

Erdogan also said that Turkey would confront the YPG in the same way
that it will take on ISIL. "For Turkey, there is no difference between
the PKK, YPG, PYD or Daesh", Erdogan added, using the Arabic name for
ISIL. "If they are terrorists, we will do what is necessary no matter
where they come from," he noted.

Erdogan's comments came shortly after U.S. national security adviser
John Bolton held more than two hours of talks in the Turkish capital
with presidential adviser Ibrahim Kal?n in a key meeting focusing on
the surprise U.S. decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. (?)

When asked about the date of the operation, Erdogan recalled the Turkish
intervention (invasion) in Cyprus in 1974 and its code phrase "Ayse
should go on holiday," given for the start of the operation and added:
"You know, once upon a time, Ayse had gone on holiday. We, too, can
visit unexpectedly. It can be at any moment. A need for contact can
emerge after this visit".

According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.01.19,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-asks-us-to-hand-over-military-bases-in-syria-140358),
Ankara has asked the United States to hand over 16 of its military
bases in northern Syria, which were set up for the fight against ISIL,
to Turkey or local authorities in the region after the U.S. withdraws,
the Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said after discussions
with U.S. officials.

"We are pleased with [President Donald] Trump's decision for withdrawal
[from Syria], but it needs to be clarified as to what kind of structure
will be left behind, what will happen to the heavy weapons that have been
deployed, the fate of American military bases and logistics centres. In
this meeting we discussed these in detail," presidential spokesperson
Ibrahim Kal?n said on Jan. 8.

Turkey also expects the U.S. to collect the arms delivered to the YPG
back, said the spokesperson, noting that the U.S. authorities informed
Turkey that they were conducting a work on the issue of arms.

His statements came after roughly two hours of a meeting with White
House national security adviser John Bolton on Jan. 8.

Bolton was joined by U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General
Joseph Dunford and U.S. special Syria envoy James Jeffrey for the talks
with his Turkish counterpart, Kal?n. (?)

Bolton reportedly departed Turkey on Jan. 8 noon without meeting President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an apparent snub over disagreements about the
issue of the YPG. Kal?n said Bolton had asked to see Erdogan, but there
was no scheduled meeting with the President, while stressing that it
should not be considered as a "reaction" to the U.S. official.

President later told reporters there was no need for him to meet
Bolton. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also did not attend the meeting
with Bolton.

Ankara wants to learn how and when the U.S. will "end" its relations
with the YPG in Syria, Kal?n stated.

Saying "Turkey will slaughter Kurds if it enters Syria" is solely PKK
propaganda and the US should refrain from such comments, he added.

The spokesperson also said he submitted two dossiers to Bolton, one
was of information on Turkey's policies "embracing Kurdish brothers"
in the region and the other was about "crimes" committed by the YPG in
Syria and alleged human rights violations of the group. (?)

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.01.19,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-opposes-turkeys-imminent-anti-isil-military-mission-in-syria-140364)
reports that main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader
Kemal K?l?cdaroglu has refused to support an imminent Turkish military
operation which the government says will be against ISIL, claiming Turkey
was given this task by the U.S.

"We do not have ISIL on our borders. They are taking Turkish soldiers into
the quagmire in Syria," K?l?cdaroglu said at his party's group meeting.

Turkey is susceptible to any external dangers, he stressed. "Who gave you
the order? Who is telling you to combat in [Syria]," said K?l?cdaroglu,
recalling Defence Minister Hulusi Akar's earlier comments on Turkey's
"duty to finish ISIL in Syria."

"Why should Turkish soldiers die while Trump avoids the casualties of
U.S. soldiers in the war-torn country," the CHP leader said, warning
that Turkey was now open to "all sorts of foreign threats". (?)